This blog has been developed to facilitate interactive conversations about the Maynard School District. Individual student or personal matters must still be discussed privately with the appropriate personnel in the schools.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Learn how to teach children to effectively
balance and manage their academic work and materials, plus their time, with
guest speaker Sarah Ward at the Fowler School Auditorium onDecember 15.
This event is hosted by the Green Meadow PTO and the Fowler School PTO.

She will be providing parents, teachers and
local professionals with actionable, practical ways they can help their
children develop their “executive function” skills. Those are the skills we all
use and need to plan, start and finish tasks on time. During this two-hour
event, you will learn how to effectively teach the children in your life to:

• Create a homework space
• Organize personal and school materials
• Record assignments and create a schedule
• Manage time and tasks
• Complete long term projects

Sarah Ward regularly presents on the topic of executive functions to a variety
of professional and parent organizations. Her innovative and effective
approaches have been featured on National Public Radio, and she is the
recipient of multiple awards, including the Massachusetts General Hospital
Expertise in Clinical Practice Award and Faculty in Excellence Award.

Please join us for this free event at the Fowler School Auditorium on December 15, from 7-9 p.m. Please RSVP by sending an email to
Jen Lenicheck @ jenlenicheck@yahoo.com.

Powderpuff
Football and More!

The MHS Sophomore class is sponsoring a
Powderpuff Football Game on Tuesday the 25th of November at 5:30. Come out to Alumni Field to see the girls of MHS play some
football and support the class of 2017! Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for
adults. The annual bonfire will also be taking place on the basketball courtsTuesdaynight to keep everyone warm. See you
there!

Important Events and Reminders:

In an effort to streamline the
Superintendent’s Notes, I will provide important upcoming events or
announcements that have already been posted in previous Superintendent’s Notes
in this section.

REFUSE TO USE ….YOU’RE NEVER ALONE CONTEST: NOVEMBER 30, 2014

The Maynard Elks and
the Maynard Emblem Club are pleased to announce they will be hosting the
“Refuse to Use ….You’re Never Alone” Drug Awareness Program at the Maynard
Public Schools. In conjunction with the
Maynard Public Schools and Maynard Police Department the Maynard Elks/Emblem
Club is collecting 8 ½ x 11 posters from children in grades 3-5 and 150 word
essays from children in grades 6-8.
There will be prizes for the best girl and boy poster and best girl and
boy essay. The winning posters and
essays will be submitted for consideration in next year’s Elks Drug Awareness
Coloring book! The child may also be
considered for a National prize! Posters
and essay will become the property of the Elks and must include the name of the
student, gender, age, school grade, telephone number, address and name of the
teacher. Judges will be members of the
Elks, school community and Maynard Police Department. Deadline for posters and essays is November
30, 2014. Winners will be announced in
the Maynard Elks newsletter and the Superintendent's weekly blog.

The National Board Of
Elks has partnered with the Office of National Drug Control, Drug Enforcement
Agency, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and Marvel
Comics to provide this program. The
Massachusetts division of the Elks spent more than $140,000 last year to
provide drug education. This is a great
program and an opportunity for the Maynard Elks to bring funding into the
Maynard Schools to provide this program. Any child interested in participating
in this contest can pick up a Drug Awareness baggie from the Principals Office
at their school. The baggie will include
the rules of the contest a coloring book and a word find puzzles. There will be some information on alcohol and
tobacco prevention for kids in grades 5 - 8.

Central Office Relocation Update

The central
office relocation from the Coolidge School to Fowler is on target to be
conducted during the vacation week from December 24th through January5th. Any business that needs to be conducted with
the central office can be done at the Coolidge School before December 24th and
at the Fowler school after January 6th.

We didn't
want there to be any confusion as you may have seen the new sidewalk and central
office sign from Coolidge being moved to the Fowler school. Other facility and security preparations are
projected to be completed on time and we are excited to begin central office
business from Fowler in the new year.

Announcing the
Maynard SEPAC 5thAnnual Winter Social

The Maynard Special Education
Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be hosting its 5th Annual
Winter Social on Monday, December 8th, from 6:30 pm
to 8:00 pm. The Winter Social will be held in the Green Meadow Elementary
cafeteria located at 5 Tiger Drive in Maynard. All students receiving
Special Education services in Maynard are invited, as well as their parents,
and siblings. Students in the Best Buddies program from Maynard High School
will be on hand to help out.

This free event will feature
crafts, activities, snacks and fun for the entire family. Exciting prizes will
be raffled off for adult partygoers. All proceeds from the raffle will be used
to help pay for future SEPAC activities. All children will receive a goody bag.
Don't miss out on a fantastic night!

Friday, November 14, 2014

The Maynard Elks and the Maynard Emblem Club are
pleased to announce they will be hosting the “Refuse to Use ….You’re Never
Alone” Drug Awareness Program at the Maynard Public Schools. In conjunction with the Maynard Public
Schools and Maynard Police Department the Maynard Elks/Emblem Club is
collecting 8 ½ x 11 posters from children in grades 3-5 and 150 word essays
from children in grades 6-8. There will
be prizes for the best girl and boy poster and best girl and boy essay. The winning posters and essays will be
submitted for consideration in next year’s Elks Drug Awareness Coloring
book! The child may also be considered
for a National prize! Posters and essay
will become the property of the Elks and must include the name of the student,
gender, age, school grade, telephone number, address and name of the
teacher. Judges will be members of the
Elks, school community and Maynard Police Department. Deadline for posters and essays is November
30, 2014. Winners will be announced in
the Maynard Elks newsletter and this Superintendent's weekly blog.

The National Board Of Elks has partnered with the
Office of National Drug Control, Drug Enforcement Agency, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Service Administration and Marvel Comics to provide this
program.The Massachusetts division of
the Elks spent more than $140,000 last year to provide drug education.This is a great program and an opportunity for
the Maynard Elks to bring funding into the Maynard Schools to provide this
program.Any child interested in participating in this contest can pick up a
Drug Awareness baggie from the Principals Office at their school.The baggie will include the rules of the
contest a coloring book and a word find puzzles.There will be some information on alcohol and
tobacco prevention for kids grade 5 -8.Maynard High School is placed on the 5th Annual
Advanced Placement Honor Roll

I am excited to announce that I received an email today from
the College Board. They have placed Maynard High School on the
5th annual Advanced Placement Honor Roll.
Maynard is one of 547 school districts selected in the U.S. and Canada. I congratulated the Guidance and
Administration for their hard work toward this accomplishment.

Central
Office Relocation Update

The central office relocation from the Coolidge School to Fowler is on
target to be conducted during the vacation week from December 24th through
January 5th. Any business that needs to
be conducted with the central office can be done at the Coolidge School before
December 24th and at the Fowler school after January 6th.

We didn't want there to be any confusion as you may have seen the new
sidewalk being installed last week or the will see the move of the central
office sign from Coolidge to Fowler next week.
Other facility and security preparations are projected to be completed
on time and we are excited to begin central office business from Fowler in the
new year.

Announcing the
Maynard SEPAC 5thAnnual Winter Social

The Maynard Special Education Parent Advisory
Council (SEPAC) will be hosting its 5th Annual Winter
Social on Monday, December 8th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00
pm. The Winter Social will be held in the Green Meadow Elementary cafeteria
located at 5 Tiger Drive in Maynard. All students receiving Special
Education services in Maynard are invited, as well as their parents, and
siblings. Students in the Best Buddies program from Maynard High School will be
on hand to help out.

This free event will feature crafts, activities,
snacks and fun for the entire family. Exciting prizes will be raffled off for
adult partygoers. All proceeds from the raffle will be used to help pay for
future SEPAC activities. All children will receive a goody bag. Don't miss out
on a fantastic night!

Thank
you from the Maynard Music Association Casino Night Fundraiser Committee

The
Maynard Music Association (MMA) hosted its sixth annual casino Game night
fundraiser on November 1st and enjoyed great success in raising over $11,000 to
support the needs of band and chorus students at Fowler School and Maynard High
School.

Our
deepest appreciation goes to the local business community, parents, music
teachers and other staff, students, and community leaders who provided
support. Casino Game Night would not
have been possible without the support of so many people. Thank you to all who contributed. If we have inadvertently left anyone out,
please know that your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Mark
your calendars for next year's Casino Game Night on November 7th, 2015 at the
Maynard Elks. We look forward to your
future support of our student musicians and choral students through this worthy
fundraiser!

Bonnie
Wilson, Chairperson

MMA
Casino Nigh Committee

Important Events and Reminders:

In an effort to streamline the Superintendent’s
Notes, I will provide important upcoming events or announcements that have
already been posted in previous Superintendent’s Notes in this section.

RECREATION
BASKETBALL LEAGUES (Gr. 3- 8)

Winter Maynard In-Town League
for boys & girls in grades 2- 8 are beginning. Practices will begin
the week of December 1, with the first games on December 6. Program
will run through mid-February.

Players will be evaluated to
form balanced* teams for in-town leagues (boys and girls have separate
leagues). Boys leagues organized by grade: 3/4th grade, 5/6 grade and
7/8th grade, **Girls Leagues are Gr. 2/3, Gr. 4/5 & Gr. 6 - 8. These
leagues are open to all Maynard children registering until all teams have been
filled. Teams will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Every effort
is made to accommodate all registrations.

Please note that Recreation
Basketball is not select; all players regardless of skill level are
welcome in Recreation Basketball.) Teams have one hour long practice per week
and games are held on Saturdays. This league operates with adult volunteers and
paid referees. The success of the program greatly depends on full
participation. Volunteers interested in coaching or being a parent manager
should notify the Boys and Girls Club at 978-461-2871.

Fee: $100/player

Family Max: $250 Family fee can only be
processed in person at the Boys and Girls Club, sorry no internet registration
for family fee.

** We are currently in the process of restructuring the girls recreation
program to help boost participation and team numbers.

To balance teams, players must attend
evaluations. Recreation evaluations will be conducted on Saturday,
November 15th at the Boys & Girls Club.

*Session 2 start date may be adjusted if there are weather cancellations
for Session 1.

Club Member Fee: $65 per session

Non-Member Fee: $75 per session

Location: Fowler School

Kinder-Dribblers, Grade:
Kindergarten, Game Time: 9:00am

Kinder-Dribblers is a great
introductory course to the skills of basketball. This is a co-ed program
for all Kindergartners interested in learning the game of
basketball. These little sporties will be learning the basics and
having a great time putting their excess energy to good use! Lowered hoops will
be used. (Max 40)

Co-Ed Biddy Basketball, Grades: 1st
& 2nd

Game Time: 10:15am

Come develop your basketball skills with
The Boys & Girls Club!

Fundamentals and skill development
emphasized in a fun atmosphere. League consists of coach assisted scrimmages.
Let’s play some hoops!!! Lowered hoops will be used. (Max 40)

Friday, November 7, 2014

On
November 4, 2014 Maynard High School hosted an exciting presentation on
Wellness & Fitness for all 8th graders. The program is
part of a Healthy Nutrition & Exercise Awareness Campaign offered to middle
schools across the country by the American Association of Physicians of India
Origin (AAPI). All students attending the “Be Fit Be Cool” activity attended
a brief presentation on Nutrition and Exercise. Students and teachers wrapped
up the event with a 20-25 minute mile walk around the new campus track and a
healthy snack.

In addition Dr. Bharti Kharana, a radiologist at Brigham and
Women's Hospital and a member of AAPI arranged for a generous donation of over
$1000 to be made to Maynard High School. The donation will be used to purchase fitness
equipment such as pedometers, another way to record the miles they will walk in
Physical Education/Wellness classes; resistance bands to strengthen their
muscles; stop watches for circuit training, and the much sought after Hippity
Hop Bouncers to help develop their legs. This additional equipment will assist
in promoting the health and fitness of all our students. The event was arranged
with the support of staff members Nancy Griffin, Pat Trahman, Purnima Vadhara, Trish
DeMars and the eighth grade teachers.

Band and Chorus Holiday Pie Fund Raiser

The HS band and chorus students are selling pies, just in time for Thanksgiving and the holidays! If you would like some pie (no work for you, they come frozen and you pop them in the oven right before serving), please ask any HS band or chorus member.

Thanks so much for supporting the HS musicians!

Sales will run through next Friday (Nov. 14). The pies are absolutely delicious!

Mile High Apple, Pumpkin, Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Blueberry, etc.

All proceeds will help the kids pay for their national competition and cultural trip to Washington DC.

Sincerely,

Cindy Blanchard

RECREATION BASKETBALL LEAGUES (Gr. 3- 8)

Winter Maynard In-Town League for boys & girls
in grades 2- 8 are beginning. Practices will begin the week
of December 1, with the first games on December 6. Program will run
through mid-February.

Players will be evaluated to form balanced* teams
for in-town leagues (boys and girls have separate leagues). Boys
leagues organized by grade: 3/4th grade, 5/6 grade and 7/8th grade, **Girls
Leagues are Gr. 2/3, Gr. 4/5 & Gr. 6 - 8. These leagues are open to
all Maynard children registering until all teams have been filled. Teams will
be filled on a first come, first served basis. Every effort is made to accommodate
all registrations.

Please note that Recreation Basketball is not
select; all players regardless of skill level are welcome in Recreation
Basketball.) Teams have one hour long practice per week and games are held on
Saturdays. This league operates with adult volunteers and paid referees. The
success of the program greatly depends on full participation. Volunteers
interested in coaching or being a parent manager should notify the Boys and
Girls Club at 978-461-2871.

Fee:
$100/player

Family
Max: $250 Family fee can only be processed in person at the Boys and Girls Club,
sorry no internet registration for family fee.

** We are currently in the process of restructuring
the girls recreation program to help boost participation and team numbers.

To
balance teams, players must attend
evaluations. Recreation evaluations will be conducted on Saturday,
November 15th at the Boys & Girls Club.

*Session 2 start date may be adjusted if there are weather
cancellations for Session 1.

Club Member Fee: $65 per session

Non-Member Fee: $75 per session

Location: Fowler School

Kinder-Dribblers, Grade:
Kindergarten, Game Time: 9:00am

Kinder-Dribblers is a great introductory course to
the skills of basketball. This is a co-ed program for
all Kindergartners interested in learning the game of
basketball. These little sporties will be learning the basics and
having a great time putting their excess energy to good use! Lowered hoops will
be used. (Max 40)

Co-Ed Biddy Basketball, Grades: 1st & 2nd

Game Time: 10:15am

Come develop your basketball skills with The Boys & Girls Club!

Fundamentals and skill development emphasized in a fun atmosphere.
League consists of coach assisted scrimmages. Let’s play some
hoops!!! Lowered hoops will be used. (Max 40)

In an effort to streamline the
Superintendent’s Notes, I will provide important upcoming events or
announcements that have already been posted in previous Superintendent’s Notes
in this section.

Health
and Wellness Reminders and Improvements

Changing traditions on
behalf of improving youth nutrition is always challenging. We took a big step last year by eliminating
student celebrations during the school day around foods or food products. However, having these regulations in place
for a second year should make it easier for everyone to forget the past and
develop new traditions.

This
year the Health and Wellness Committee met and worked with the Maynard Food
Service Program Director to phase out the non-nutritious snacks in the snack
shack at Fowler. Similar to last year,
this change in tradition may be difficult when first implemented. However, in the long run it is in our
students best interest to provide healthy food choices at school.

Fall
cleaning and a way to support the MHS PTO

There is a new big, white recycling
container on Tiger Drive, just past the high school student parking lot on the
way to the Fowler school called Big Hearted Books. This container accepts
Books, DVD’s, CD’s, records (anyone remember those?), Video Games, etc. All
proceeds go to the MHS PTO to be used toward the teacher luncheon,
scholarships, guest speakers and other events funded by them. As
you do your fall cleaning please consider donating your items here.

Support
Remembering Maynard's Own

Remembering Maynard's Own, an
organization that pays for student activity fees for students in need, is
selling athletics themed district calendars. Each calendar has the 9 month
district calendar on one sheet of paper that can be easily placed on the
refrigerator or the wall. Calendars are $10 for adults and $7 for
students! Please see Mr. Caruso or Ms. Diane Dahill for details and purchase.